Spinning machinery.



C. T` ATH'ERTON.

SPINNING MACHINERY.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1. 19o?. 954,01 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES T. ATHERTON, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE* ISLAND, ASSIGNOR '.DOATHERTON' SPINNING RING COMPANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND;A A-CORPORA'IION 0F- RI-IODE ISLAND;

SPINNING MIAGHINERY.

y To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES T. ATHER- TON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Providence, inthe county of Providence andState `of' Rhode Island, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Spinning Machinery, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention, while relating primarily to spinning machinery, hasreference more particularly to the spindles and spindle supports madeuse of therein, and especially to those forms of such. devices whereinthe spindles are of the class which are known to the art as deadspindles, and receive whatever rotation there is imparted to themthrough the strain of the yarn in being spun and wound into cops, orupon bobbins carried by them. In U. S. Letters Patent No. 749,470, datedJanuary 12th, 1904, is shown and described a spindle of this character.with an appropriate support therefor, in which the spindle is providedwith a drag or devices by which its rotation when in operation may befrictioiially resisted and the amount of such resistance regulated andcontrolled to suit it to the requirements of the yarn being produced orwound. The construction shown and described in such Letters Patent,while efticient in operation when employed in the production and windingof yarns that are spun and wound in a dry state, is unprotected in itsdrag, or rotating resisting de` vices of the spindle, from the action ofthe water and other objectionable substances when the construction isemployed in the spinning and winding of linen, jute or other materialsthat are spun and wound in a wet state, and such water or othersubstances enter it, with the result that the operative eHiciency of theparts is more or less impaired. Moreover, with this construction noprovision is made for preventing the rotation of the friction resistingsurface that cooperates with the spindle to retard its rotation, and,imder some conditions, this Isurface rotates with the spindle, causingthereby the part or parts upon which such surface is formed to wearunnecessarily.

My present invention is designed as an improvement upon thisconstruction, and it has for its object the production of a spindle andthe supports therefor, in which, among other things, not only is' thedrag upon the Specification ofi Letters Patent.

Application iled August 1, 1907;

Serial No. 386,580.

spindle, or the parts employed to oppose the friction-al resistancetoits rotation, inclosed andv protected from the water contained in tbeyarn being` spun and wound, as well as from the other objectionablesubstances that are present during those operations, but the partcarrying the surface which coperates with the spindle to frictionallyreta-rd its rotation, is held from rotary motion, and the lubricationoff the spindle more eiiciently accomplished.

To these ends, the invention consists in certain peculiarities ofconstruction and combination of' parts, all of which willA be` firstdescribed, and the distinguishing features of novelty then pointed outin the subjoined claims. l

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of' thisspecification, Figure l, is a side elevation of a spindle and thesupport therefor constructed in accordance with one form of myinvention, showing their relationship with respect to a ring-rail, arotating ring, and a supporting spindle-rail, which are severally shownin section; Fig. 2, a side view of a spindle, the support therefor, andthe other accessories, the spindle, the step, the spring detent forcooperating with the adjusting devices for the drag, and the pin forpreventing the rotation of the bolster and step in their holder, beingshown in side elevation, and the remaining parts in aXia-l section; Fig.3, a transverse horizontal section, taken in the plane aa a? of Fig. 2,and looking downward, and Fig. 4, a like transverse horizontal section,taken in the plane y y of said Fig. 2, and similarly looking downward.

In all the figures, like letters of reference are employed to designatecorresponding parts.

A indicates the spindle, and B the spindle rail upon which the spindleis supported. The spindle A is or may be of any ordinary ,or preferredconstruction, and, in practice,

it is employed in connection with appropriate yarn twisting and windingdevices C,

and with a cooperating rail D. These twist-V ing and winding devices,with the coperating rail however, form no part of my present invention,but are illustrated in the drawing to more particularly show therelationship of the spindle with respect to them, and are or may be ofany approved or well Fatented Apr. 5, 1910.. n

known character and require no further description herein. In the formof the invention which I have selected for purposes of illustrationhowever, the spindle is shown as gradually tapered in opposite directionfrom its middle portion toward its upper and lower ends, with its upperend provided with a reduced cylindrical section a, and its lower endequipped with a conical step al.

For supporting the spindle A upon the spindle rail B, I make use of aholder E, which is preferably constructed with a cylindrical chamber orsocket e, formed in and extending downward within the same to near itslower end, and also with a downwardly extending shank c1, which isadapted to enter and fit a suitable orifice Z), formed in the spindlerail B, in which it may be held either by a set screw b1, or by a nut b2threaded upon its lower end, as preferred. IVith the holder constructedas thus explained, it receives the lower portion of the spindle A, whichis rotatively mounted therein through the intervention of a bolsterbearing F and step bearing H. To permit of this mounting of the spindletherein, the bolster bearing F is preferably constructed in tubularform, with enlarged upper and lower end portions f and f1, which areadapted to enter and closely fit the interior of the chamber or socketc, and also with an interior orifice f2, which extends longitudinallythrough it, and is of a form and size to loosely fit the spindle at ornear both its middle and lower end portions; while the step bearing IIis constructed in the form of a screw plug, which is threaded in thelower end of the bolster tube, and supports on its upper flat end thespindle A, which rests thereon, through its step al. By thisconstruction and arrangement of parts, as will be seen, not only is thespindle supported upon the spindle rail and lateral bearings aiiorded toit at or near its middle and lower end, but such spindle sustainedagainst the action of gravity, and rendered capable of verticaladjustment when required. The spindle A, being thus mounted, is free torotate in and upon its bearings, as the exigencies of its use mayrequire; and, in order to provide for the lubrication of its bearings,the chamber or socket c in the holder E is preferably constructed with aclosed bottom, whereby, in addition to serving as a holder for thebolster and step bearings, it also serves as a well or receptacle toreceive and hold the lubricant, while the peripheries of both theenlarged end portions f and 'l of the tube F are equipped with one ormore longitudinal grooves f3, which is or are connected with theinterior of the tube near its or their respective upper and lower endsby ducts f* and As thus constructed and equipped, the lubricant may besupplied to the chamber or socket c by depositing it in essere the upperend of the groove f, or in any one of them when a plurality is employed,and allowing it'to flow downward through the same into the socket, whichmay be filled to its top therewith if so desired. It is preferredhowever to supply it thereto from a reservoir e2, with which one or moreof the grooves f3 may be connected by a duct c3, and to locate thisreservoir c2 in the upper surface of an enlarged flange-like port-ion c4formed at the upper end of the holder E, as shown.

In some instances the enlarged end portions 7 and f1 of the tube I" willfit the chamber or socket e sufiiciently tight to prevent the tube fromrotating therein, and the relationship of the groove f3 with the duct cin that case will be maintained by friction alone. Then however it ispreferred to insure of this result being accomplished in a more positivemanner, a locking piu c may be employed, which, when used, extendsinward from the walls of the chamber or socket c and engages at itsinner end with any convenient depression formed in the tube F, as, forinstance, with one of the grooves f3, or otherwise.

While the mounting of the spindle, and lubrication of its bearings arethus elteeted, the rotation of the spindle is resisted and a dragimposed upon it by cooperating disks I and I1, of which the former isrotatable and the latter stationary. The disk I, in the embodiment ofthe invention shown in the drawing', is preferably constructed on thelower end of a hub or collar fz', and is fixedly secured upon thespindle, whereby to rotate with, and be held in a fixed relationship to,it, while the upper end of the hub or collar is or may be providedwithdogs z'l for engagement with the bobbin or spool when one isemployed. The disk Il, on the other hand, is constructed with adownwardly extending annular sleeve 2 upon its back, with the interiorof this sleeve provided with a screw thread for engagement with acorresponding screw thread t* formed on the exterior of the enlargedHange-like portion e4 of the holder E, whereby to provide means for theadjustment of the disk I1 toward and away from the disk I, to increaseor decrease the resistance or drag opposed to the rotation of thespindle, as the exigencies of its rotation may require. With the partsthus employed the resistance of the drag opposed to the rotation of thespindle will be increased by simply rotating the disk I1 in the properdirection on the flange-like portion c* to cause it to be forced againstthe disk I with greater pressure; while its decrease, on the contrary,will be accomplished by reducing the pressure with which the disk Il isforced against the disk I, by rotating the former disk on theflange-like portion c4 in the opposite extending direction. rl`hus, aswill be seen, bythe means described the resistance to the rotation ofthe spindle, or the drag thereon, may be regulated and controlled, bysimply r0- tating the disk I1 Von the flange-like portion et in therequired direction; and in order to retain the disk in any-ofI thepositions to which it may be thus rotated and adjusted, a spring detentL is employed, which, secured to the holder E by suitable screws Z, isadapted to engage at its free end with appropriate notches formed in theperiphery of the disk, as shown.

In some instances the disk I1 may contact directly with the disk I,without the employment of an intermediate medium between them. I preferhowever to interpose between them one or more layers of felt or otherfrictional material M made in the shape of a washer, or washers, asthereby more eiiicient results are accomplished; and, with a view topreventing any rotation of these layers, or any of them, I make use ofan abutment m, which, in the form of the invention shown in the drawing,is constructed in the shape of a tube, and extends downward through thedisk I1, outside the periphery of the disk I, with its upper end upwardthrough an orifice formed in the layer or layers of felt to somedistance, and with its lower end projecting downward below the undersurface of the disk, in proper relationship to the reservoir e2,whereby, in addition to serving as a means to prevent the rotation ofthe layer or layers of felt, itmay also serve as a means through whichthe lubricant may be supplied to such reservoir.

For excluding water and other' objectionable substances from the layeror layers of felt and from the bearings of the spindle, the uppersurface of the disk I1 is provided near its outer edge with an upwardlyextending annular sleeve-like fiange 7, and, in connection therewith, isemployed a cover N, which is constructed with an orifice n through itscenter of a size to receive and fit the spindle, or the hub or collarz', when one is employed, and also with a downwardly extending annularflange nl around its outer edge, which, provided in its interior with ascrew thread a2, engages with a corresponding screw thread S formed onthe outer surface of the upwardly extending flange 7. As thusconstructed and arranged, not only is a chamber formed upon the disk I1for the reception of the layer or layers ofl felt, but a cover thereforas well; and in order to allow for the lubricant being supplied to thereservoir c2 when required, the cover N is or may be provided at a pointover the tubular abutment m wit-h an orifice n3, which, when thelubricant is not being supplied, may be closed by an appropriate screwor plug at.

In most instances the cover N will exclude all water or otherobjectionable substances from the felt and bearings, but in order tomore thoroughly prevent it from working downward around the hub orcollar z', I find it convenient to employ a disk O, which is fitted uponthe hub or collar near its upper end, and extends outward over the coverto such a distance as to deflect all water and other objectionablesubstances falling upon it outward away from the hub or collar, andprevent them from entering the space in the cap around it.

lVith the parts constructed and arranged as above explained, a spindle,with means for supporting it in operative position when in use, isprovided, which, in addition to answering the various objects beforepointed out, possesses other and further advantages in points ofconstruction and operation, not necessary to mention herein.

While, in the foregoing I have described the best means contemplated byme for carrying my invention into practice, I wish it distinctlyunderstood that I do not limit myself strictly thereto, as it is obviousthat the same may be modified in various ways without departing from thespirit of the invention.

Having now described the invention and specified certain of the ways inwhich it is or may be carried into effect, I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States,-

1. The combination, with a spindle provided with a disk fixedly securedthereto, and a holder in which the spindle is supported, of a seconddisk threaded upon the upper end of the holder so as to be adjustabletoward and away from the first mentioned disk and provided with anupwardly extending annular fiange-like portion, and a cap or coverprovided with a downwardly extending flange-like portion for coperationwith the upwardly extending annular flange-like portion of theadjustable disk, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a spindle provided with a disk fixedly securedthereto, and a holder in which the spindle is supported, of a seconddisk threaded upon the upper end of the holder so as to be adjustabletoward and away from the first mentioned disk and provided with anupwardly extending annular flange-like portion, and a cap or coverprovided with a downwardly extending flange-like portion threaded uponthe upwardly extending annular flange-like portion on the adjustabledisk, substantially as described.-

3. The combination, with a spindle provided with a disk fixedly securedto it, a holder in which the spindle is supported, a second diskconstructed with a downwardly extending flange-like portion that isthreaded upon the upper end of the holder, whereby the said disk isadjustable toward and away from the first mentioned disk, and isprovided with an upwardly extending annular flange-like portion, of alayer or layers of felt interposed between the said disks, a cap orcover provided with downwardly extending liange-like portion threadedupon the upwardly extending annular fiange-like portion of theadjustable disk, and a deflecting disk carried by the spindle andextending outward over the cap or cover, substantially as described.

et. The combination, with a spindle provided with a disk iixcdly securedthereto, and a holder in which the spindle is supported. of a` seconddisk for cooperating with the first mentioned disk, a layer or layers offrictional material interposed between such disks, and an abutment forengaging with such layer or layers of frictional material to prevent itor thein from rotation, substantially as described.

The combination, with spindle having a friction disk fixedly securedthereto, and a holder in which the spindle is supported provided with achamber or socket formed therein and having a closed bottom, of a.bolster tube carrying the step bearing at its lower end and closelyfitted to such chamber or socket at or near both its upper and lowerends, ducts leading through such bolster tube at or near the bolster andstep bearings therein, means through which the lubricant may be suppliedto said chamber or socket and thence conducted directly to the spindlethrough such bolster rtube at or near both the bolster and stepbearings, and a friction disk adjustably supported upon the holder forcooperation with the friction disk on the spindle to apply a drag orresist-- ance to the rotation of the spindle, substantially asdescribed.

6. The combination, with a spindle having a friction disk fixedlysecured thereto, and a holder in which it is supported provided with acylindrical chamber or socket closed at its lower end, of a bolster'tube provided with a step bearing at its lower end closely fitted tosuch chamber or socket at or near its upper and lower ends andconstructed with longitudinal grooves formed along its exterior, ductsleading through such bolster tube near its upper and lower ends with theupper of these ducts connecting with the grooves, means through whichthe lubricant may be supplied to said chamber or socket, and a secondfriction disk adjustably mounted on said holder for coperation with thefriction disk on the spindle, whereby to apply a drag or resistance tothe rotation of such spindle, substantially as described.

T. The combination, with a spindle having a friction disk thereon, and aholder in which the spindle is supported provided with a closed bottomcylindrical chamber or socket c, a reservoir c2, and a connecting ductes, of a tubular bolster bearing F, carrying the step bearing H at itslower end, arranged in such chamber or socket and closely fitting thesame at its upper and lower ends, with longitudinal grooves f3 andconnecting ducts ft and f5 formed at or near the bolster and stepbearings therein, and a second friction disk adjustably supported onsaid holder for cooperation with the friction disk on the spindlewhereby to apply a drag or resistance to the rotation of such spindle,substantially as described.

8. The combination, with a spindle having a friction disk thereon, and aholder in which the spindle is supported provided with a chamber orsocket having a closed lower end, a reservoir in its upper end, and aduct leading from suoli reservoir to the chamber or socket', of abolstertube arranged in such chamber or socket with its upper and under endportions closely fitted thereto and provided with longitudinal groovesf3, ducts f4 and f5 leading through such tube with the duct f4connecting with one of the grooves a step bearing arranged in its lowerend for supporting the spindle against the action of gravity, and asecond friction disk adjustably supported on said holder for cooperationwith the friction disk on the spindle to apply a drag or resistance tothe rotation of such spindle, substantially as described.

E). The combination, with a spindle, and a holder in which it issupported provided with a cylindrical chamber or socket closed at itslower end, a reservoir c2 at its upper end, and a duct e3 for connectingthe reservoir with the chamber or socket, of a bolster tube F closelyfitted to such chamber or socket at its upper and lower ends andprovided with longitudinal grooves f3, ducts ft and respectively locatednear its upper and its lower ends, with the ducts 7'* connected with thegrooves f3, a disk Il adjustably supported upon the upper end of theholder and provided with a tubular abutment m extending through suchdisk in proper relationship to the reservoir e2, and a cap or cover Nfitted to said disk and provided with an orifice n3, whereby thelubrication for the spindle may be supplied to the reservoir e2 withoutremoving the cap or the disk I1, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses this 27th day of July, 1907.

CHARLES T. ATHERTON.

Vitnesses:

ABEL T. A'rHnnroN, lint-IAM K. A'rwoon.

